Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
April 17, 2002

DECANI - His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren received yesterday at Visoki Decani Monastery UNMIK (United Nations Mission in Kosovo) Administrator Michael Steiner and his colleagues.

During the course of the hour long conversation in the monastery library, Bishop Artemije emphasized that there are two basic priorities for the Serbs of Kosovo and Metohija: improving living conditions for the remaining Serbian people in the region; as well as the return of temporarily displaced Serbs to their homes. Without accomplishing the first, it is impossible to make any progress in repatriating our expelled inhabitants, noted the Bishop appealing to Mr. Steiner to do everything in his power to create conditions in Kosovo and Metohija for a democratic and multiethnic society. The situation for Serbs essentially has not improved following the wartime conflicts and the attacks continue practically every day, stressed Bishop Artemije with great regret, pointing out that the best manner in which to move toward the resolution of this situation is in accordance with UN Resolution No. 1244, as well as the realization of the Haekkerup-Covic Agreement, which was concluded last year.

The Abbot of Decani, Fr. Teodosije, spoke of the isolation of the Serbian enclaves in Metohija, especially of our monasteries, which for three years already live under a unique form of besiegement. Protosingelos Fr. Sava stressed that it is difficult to expect the integration of Serbs into a society that has an exclusively Albanian character and in which, essentially, there is no room for other ethnic communities to enjoy a free and equal life.

The UNMIK Administrator responding to the statements of Bishop Artemije, noted that the best way for improving living conditions for the Serbian population is through Serb participation in the newly created structures and emphasized that protecting cultural monuments, especially the monasteries, represents a priority for UNMIK, and expressed hope that the day will soon come when the monasteries will no longer need military security, and that all communities will feel mutual responsibility for the protection of cultural treasures.

Following the conversation and lunch in the monastery refectory, Mr. Steiner together with his colleagues visited the church and the iconographic and woodcarving studio of Visoki Decani Monastery.